Women: How to Handle a Jealous Friend

Are you buddies with a jealous female friend? You know - the kind who either tries to copy everything you do and if she can't, tears whatever it is down. Learn how to handle her. This gal-pal isn't a bad person, she's just insecure and later on in life might turn into one of the best friends you've ever had.

1. Stay quiet.
Handle a jealous friend by keeping your business to yourself. When you buy a new car, don't roll around to her home unless you want to see her in the same ride the following week. Reduce the amount of information you confide to her about yourself so you can savor your achievements - alone.

2. Understand her.
As mentioned before, jealous people are just insecure. Your female buddy who's envious of you fits this bill. She doesn't think anything she accomplishes is "good" enough. Check out her background. Did she grow up in an abusive home? Was she an ugly duckling until recently? Whatever her story is will help you understand her and have more compassion (and be less irritated).

3. Keep your focus.
A key to handling a jealous friend is to keep your focus. Avoid letting her "bad" behavior affect you. For example, when you hear she's bagging on your new house, stay calm. Relish your moment and blow off the gossip. Remember, she's only talking about you because she wishes she were you.

4. Limit your time.
Until your gal pal gets over being jealous, limit your time with her. She won't be able to behave like a mature adult while the green-eyed monster has a hold of her. As a result, give her a few days or weeks to get over herself. Then, when she approaches you in a reasonable way, hang again. In the end, she probably is a friend, just a silly one.

5. Remain a friend.
Don't fight fire with fire. Handle a jealous friend by remaining a true friend. Stooping to her level won't change anything or end her devious ways. For this reason, you need to still be the person you are - a kind, sweet, talented woman. Be nice to your buddy and know that for now she can't - consistently - return the favor.

These five suggestions will help you deal better with a jealous friend. Friends come in all different colors, sizes, shapes and attitudes. Try to take the good with the bad and manage the relationship accordingly.